2024 Mercedes-Benz Actros, Arocs in Malaysia – now with Euro 5 engines, B30 biodiesel compatible

While Malaysia continues to only mandate the Euro 4 emissions standards for new vehicles, Hap Seng Trucks Distribution (HSTD) is going ahead with the launch of the revised Mercedes-Benz Actros, now with Euro 5 engines. The event also sees the introduction of the off-road-focused Arocs to the Malaysian market, also with the cleaner engines.

A total of three variants of the Actros and two variants of the Arocs are available. The former is powered by a 10.7 litre OM470 straight-six turbodiesel that produces 326 PS at 1,600 rpm and 1,700 Nm of torque at 1,100 rpm in the Actros 2033 4×2 base model, with the 2640 6×2 variant pushing outputs up to 394 PS and 1,900 Nm. Those who need more power can opt for the 2645 6×2, which gets a larger 12.8 litre OM471 mill, bumping power up to 449 PS and torque to 2,200 Nm – both at the same revs as the others.

Mercedes claims the new engines offer a seven per cent reduction in fuel consumption versus their Euro 3 predecessors. Both the ClassicSpace L-cab and the taller StreamSpace version are available on the Actros, the latter being optional on the 2640 model and standard on the 2645. Gross combination weight (GCW) is rated at 44 tonnes for the 2033 and 68 tonnes for everything else.

Mercedes-Benz Actros

Being aimed at unpaved construction sites, the Arocs is offered only in 6×4 form with the ClassicSpace cab. The 3340 carries over the 394 PS OM470 mill (here with a 80-tonne GCW rating), but the 3348 is upgraded to a more powerful 476 PS/2,300 Nm of the OM471, bumping the GCW up to 120 tonnes. All engines are mated to a PowerShift 3 automated manual transmission, equipped with 12 speeds for the Actros and 16 speeds for the Arocs.

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The Actros and Arocs gain their Euro 5 certification through the use of AdBlue selective catalytic reduction (SCR), which injects aqueous urea into the exhaust to reduce the emission of nitrous oxides. All engines are compatible with B30 biodiesel, which the government intends to introduce by 2030. Service intervals are unchanged and last up to 55,000 km.

Beyond the new engines, the Actros is pretty much identical to the version it replaces, although eyebrow-style LED daytime running lights are now fitted as standard. You also now get an optional illuminated Three-pointed Star as well as three-piece front bumper design with steel corners, reducing the risk of damage and lowering repair costs compared to having to replace plastic pieces.

Mercedes-Benz Arocs

Suiting its more rugged bent, the Arocs is differentiated through standard headlight guards and beefier side steps with rubber mounts. You also gain a high-performance engine braking system that provides an additional 130 kW (176 PS) in deceleration compared to the standard setup.

Elsewhere, the suspension has been upgraded with a heavier-duty parabolic rear spring (rather than rear air suspension on the Actros) and retuned dampers and anti-roll bars, the latter for increased robustness and more stable handling even with one-sided loads. There’s also a planetary rear axle that enables the Arocs to have a higher GCW rating compared to the Actros with a hypoid axle.

Stepping into the new Actros with the 10.7 litre engine is now easier thanks to the 279 mm lower floor, and once you’re inside (sitting on the standard air suspension seat), you’ll find that both the Actros and Arocs come with an unchanged dashboard with the “rifled” engine start button from older Mercedes passenger cars and a large electronic parking brake lever. Safety-wise, the two lorries can be had with autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist and a driver attention monitor.

Both the Actros and Arocs come with Trac360 telematics as standard, which HSTD claims will enable users and business to increase the utilisation of their prime movers. The system tracks the location of the lorry and past routes to understand driver behaviour and aid recovery if the vehicle has been stolen.

Hap Seng Trucks says the lower carbon emissions stemming from the Euro 5 engines in the Actros and Arocs is crucial for its environment, social and governance (ESG) goals, helping to create a more sustainable future by cutting down on pollution from goods deliveries.